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Tory rebellion averted as immigration bill is delayed Tory rebellion averted as immigration bill is delayed
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has dodged an imminent revolt by 60 Tory backbenchers over the lifting of border controls on Bulgarians and Romanians, as the government revealed that the immigration bill would be delayed until the new year.David Cameron has dodged an imminent revolt by 60 Tory backbenchers over the lifting of border controls on Bulgarians and Romanians, as the government revealed that the immigration bill would be delayed until the new year.
Dozens of Conservatives are backing an amendment to the bill that would stop restrictions on workers from the two newest EU countries being lifted on 1 January. The government has introduced new restrictions on benefits for new migrants, but the rebels continue to raise fears about an influx of citizens from Romania and Bulgaria when the so-called "transitional" restrictions end.Dozens of Conservatives are backing an amendment to the bill that would stop restrictions on workers from the two newest EU countries being lifted on 1 January. The government has introduced new restrictions on benefits for new migrants, but the rebels continue to raise fears about an influx of citizens from Romania and Bulgaria when the so-called "transitional" restrictions end.
Amid fears of a growing revolt over the issue, the government has now decided not to debate the immigration bill until after the 1 January deadline.Amid fears of a growing revolt over the issue, the government has now decided not to debate the immigration bill until after the 1 January deadline.
Senior MPs including David Davis, a former leadership candidate, and several ex-ministers, have signed the amendment, which calls for controls on Bulgarian and Romanian workers to remain until the end of 2018.Senior MPs including David Davis, a former leadership candidate, and several ex-ministers, have signed the amendment, which calls for controls on Bulgarian and Romanian workers to remain until the end of 2018.
It is now possible they could seek a debate on the issue in backbench business, although Cameron would avoid the threat of a vote on the issue.It is now possible they could seek a debate on the issue in backbench business, although Cameron would avoid the threat of a vote on the issue.
Speaking in the Commons, Mark Reckless, Tory MP for Rochester and Strood, objected to the delay, saying it "would surely make sense for the house to vote on extending immigration restrictions in advance of their being lifted on 1 January."Speaking in the Commons, Mark Reckless, Tory MP for Rochester and Strood, objected to the delay, saying it "would surely make sense for the house to vote on extending immigration restrictions in advance of their being lifted on 1 January."
Andrew Lansley, the leader of the house, denied that the legislation had been put off, saying it was "simply that I have announced progress on five government bills [before Christmas] so we have a lot of legislation before the house".Andrew Lansley, the leader of the house, denied that the legislation had been put off, saying it was "simply that I have announced progress on five government bills [before Christmas] so we have a lot of legislation before the house".
However, the UK Independence party said the government appeared to be trying to avoid embarrassment by refusing to debate the issue.However, the UK Independence party said the government appeared to be trying to avoid embarrassment by refusing to debate the issue.
It accused the government of "desperately trying to bury the news that they are blocking any debate on the removal of restrictions to Bulgaria and Romania by delaying the vote on the immigration bill on the same day as the chancellor's autumn statement".It accused the government of "desperately trying to bury the news that they are blocking any debate on the removal of restrictions to Bulgaria and Romania by delaying the vote on the immigration bill on the same day as the chancellor's autumn statement".
"The coalition are urgently seeking to avoid any embarrassment by not allowing MPs to debate the amendment from Nigel Mills, which would delay the doors opening to Romania and Bulgaria until 2018," a spokesman said."The coalition are urgently seeking to avoid any embarrassment by not allowing MPs to debate the amendment from Nigel Mills, which would delay the doors opening to Romania and Bulgaria until 2018," a spokesman said.
"It is clear this is a government that is more interested in preserving its image by blocking democratic debate and has been proven once again to be entirely disingenuous on the issue of immigration control.""It is clear this is a government that is more interested in preserving its image by blocking democratic debate and has been proven once again to be entirely disingenuous on the issue of immigration control."
The row comes as Theresa May, the home secretary, heads to Brussels on Thursday to make the case for new conditions on freedom of movement throughout the EU. She is seeking a cap on the number of European workers who would be allowed into Britain, after net migration from the EU rose from 72,000 to 106,000 in the year to June.The row comes as Theresa May, the home secretary, heads to Brussels on Thursday to make the case for new conditions on freedom of movement throughout the EU. She is seeking a cap on the number of European workers who would be allowed into Britain, after net migration from the EU rose from 72,000 to 106,000 in the year to June.
Any restrictions on free movement are fiercely opposed by the European commission and many EU member states. However, France and Germany recently signalled they were prepared to take similar steps to Britain in limiting benefits for new migrants. Any restrictions on free movement are fiercely opposed by the European commission and many EU member states. However, France and Germany recently signalled they were prepared to take similar steps in limiting benefits for new migrants.
Downing Street claims it has a "growing coalition of support" for Britain's attempts to reform the principle of free movement after Cameron called for an end to vast migrations of people from poor to rich countries within the EU.Downing Street claims it has a "growing coalition of support" for Britain's attempts to reform the principle of free movement after Cameron called for an end to vast migrations of people from poor to rich countries within the EU.
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